Ryan Donaldson ’15

Major: Medical Laboratory ScienceHometown:North Canton, Ohio

When I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I was interested in becoming a medical technologist, and heard that Mount Union had an outstanding medical technology program.

Dean of the University

Dr. Patricia Draves is the vice president for academic affairs and dean of the University at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Prior to joining the staff at Mount Union, she was the biochemistry program chair at Monmouth College in Illinois and associate dean of undergraduate studies at the University of Central Arkansas. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry from Mount Holyoke College, a doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois and went on to a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Texas-Austin.

Draves has been very instrumental at Mount Union since her arrival in 2006. She has helped to develop the University’s first graduate program in physician assistant studies as well as implementing various majors on campus including criminal justice, financial mathematics, mechanical and civil engineering, environmental science and medical technology. She also helped formulate a student success center on campus.

She has a wide range of academic experience that includes integrating technology into teaching and learning, faculty development, freshman interest groups and scholarship administration. Draves is also a prolific grant writer – in her professional career she has been responsible for more than $1.3 million in faculty development and teaching and curriculum improvement funds.